John Jacob Astor

Date of Birth: July 17, 1763

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: March 29, 1848

Biography

John Jacob Astor, born as Johann Jakob Astor on July 17, 1763, in Walldorf, Germany, was an American businessman, merchant, real estate mogul, and investor who is widely considered one of the wealthiest men in history. Astor immigrated to the United States in 1784 and began his career as a fur trader, eventually establishing the American Fur Company in 1808. This enterprise dominated the fur trade industry in the United States and made Astor a prominent figure in American commerce. Astor expanded his ventures into real estate, purchasing large tracts of land in New York City and developing them into prime commercial properties. His investments in Manhattan, particularly in what would become the Astor District, significantly contributed to his wealth. Apart from his business acumen, Astor was also a philanthropist. He founded the Astor Library in New York City, which later became part of the New York Public Library system. Astor passed away on March 29, 1848, leaving behind a legacy of immense wealth and influence.

5 Interesting Facts about John Jacob Astor

1. John Jacob Astor was the first multi-millionaire in the United States.

2. He established the first American monopoly by controlling the fur trade.

3. Astor’s descendants continued to play significant roles in American society, including his great-grandson John Jacob Astor IV, who perished on the Titanic.

4. He was one of the first to invest heavily in New York City real estate, which paid off immensely as the city grew.

5. Astor was one of the original founders of the New York Society Library.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Jacob Astor

1. “Wealth is largely the result of habit.”

2. “The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily.”

3. “There is no such thing as a fortune too large for a man to manage.”

4. “Success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

5. “The first $100,000 is difficult, but the rest is easy.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his wealth, John Jacob Astor’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $20 million, which would be equivalent to billions of dollars today.

Children

John Jacob Astor had eight children with his wife Sarah Todd: 1. Magdalena Astor (1788–1832) 2. John Jacob Astor Jr. (1791–1869) 3. William Backhouse Astor Sr. (1792–1875) 4. Dorothea Astor (1795–1874) 5. Henry Astor (1797–1799) 6. Eliza Astor (1801–1838) 7. Sarah Astor (1802–1870) 8. William Backhouse Astor Jr. (1804–1875)